WorldWide Drilling Resource

79 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® MARCH 2015 Off-Road Mobilization of Drilling Equipment by Philip Warren Driving Surface Last month, we talked about some of the bad things that can happen when mobilizing off-road. We can avoid a lot of these problems by using some sim- ple techniques and a healthy dose of common sense. Whenever the rigs are leaving the relative safety of a paved road, we need to adjust our driving style accordingly. Slow and steady are the keys to safe operation. Remember this thought: Speed is the enemy, but momentum is your friend. Gravity works every time - be it good or bad. Inexperienced drivers believe if they go fast enough through the mudhole or race up the slippery hill all will be well. NOOOOO, this usually ends badly. Your very expensive rigs will suffer. When faced with a questionable driving surface, take the time to get out and walk it first. Do you sink in just by your weight? Imagine a 40,000-pound rig on that ground. Check the depth of the water hole or stream in your way. Can you cross it without drowning the engine? Are there hidden obstacles beneath the snow? Look and think before you drive. Prepare your equipment for the con- ditions you are seeing. If you have four- wheel drive or locking differentials, engage them before proceeding. Use low gears in most conditions. Make sure mast and loose equipment are secure for bumpy travel. Sometimes, you may need to install tire chains for more trac- tion, or lower the tire pressure for more flotation. Engage common sense. Feel what the equipment is doing when underway. Are you sinking or slid- ing sideways? Is the engine racing, or lugging? Sometimes the best option is to stop or backup and reassess before bad things happen. Off-road mobility requires knowl- edge and proper equipment. Make sure you and your employees have both. We have only touched on the tip of the iceberg of driving techniques; next time we will discuss equipment needs. Thanks for reading! Safe travels! Phil Philip Warren may be contacted via e-mail at michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com In Memoriam Ralph Carr Heath (1925~2015) Ralph Carr Heath, 89, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away January 12, 2015. In 1943, Ralph entered the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill as a member of the first U.S. Navy V-12 training program. After discharge from the Navy, he returned to UNC Chapel Hill, receiving a degree in geology in 1948. Later that year, he became a hydrogeologist for the USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). For over three decades, he worked for the USGS in Florida, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and North Carolina. After retiring from the USGS, Ralph began a second career as a consulting hydrogeologist. He also taught courses in groundwater hydrology at several universities, and for the National Research Council. He authored or coauthored more than 70 scientific publications. He was both a Distinguished Lecturer and Henry Darcy Distinguished Lecturer of the National Ground Water Association. Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years Martha. He is survived by son William; daughter Susan; and four grandchildren. The management and staff of WorldWide Dr i ll ing Resource ® offer their condolences to Ralph’s family and friends. Fraud Facts o A bank will never e-mail or call for an account number. o Don’t wire money to strangers. o Be cautious of work-at-home job offers. o Check out companies with the Better Business Bureau. o There are no legitimate jobs involv- ing reshipping items or financial instru- ments from a home. o Foreign lotteries are illegal in the U.S. o Check monthly bank statements for unrecognized charges. o Order a credit report copy from each of the three national credit bureaus once a year.